Scott Atlas: Trump’s coronavirus adviser urges Michigan to ‘stand up’ against new Covid-19 measures



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“The only way it stops is if people stand up,” Atlas said. “You get what you accept. #FreedomMatters #StepUp”

His message – which goes against the consensus of public health officials – is likely to fuel further tensions between the White House and Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, whom federal and state officials have announced. last month that he was the target of alleged national terrorism. kidnapping plot.

Responding to Atlas’ tweet on Sunday night, Whitmer told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, “We know the White House likes to distinguish us here in Michigan, me in particular. I’m not going to be intimidated by not following scientists and reputable doctors. professionals. “

Instead, Whitmer said, she consults “with people who have actually studied and are well respected around the world on these matters, not the – not the individual making the President’s offer on this one.”

Whitmer announced at a press conference earlier Sunday that Michigan would begin a “three-week hiatus targeting indoor social gatherings and other group activities” to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

“If everyone does their part, we’ll see a big benefit,” she told Blitzer of the new measures. “But we’re going to evaluate it every step of the way.”

Throughout the pandemic, Whitmer has been at the center of the extreme vitriol of far-right groups. The alleged plan to kidnap her included plans to overthrow several state governments that suspects “believe violate the US Constitution,” according to a federal criminal complaint.

Still, she joins a list of officials who are tightening their restrictions as coronavirus cases continue to skyrocket.

The United States surpassed 11 million coronavirus cases on Sunday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. The latest milestone comes just six days after the United States recorded 10 million cases.

It was the fastest the United States has added a million new cases since the start of the pandemic.

Unlike government medical experts who advised Trump in the early months of the pandemic, Atlas has taken a public stance on the virus much closer to that of the president – including decrying the idea that schools cannot reopen this fall. as “hysteria” and pushing for the resumption of college sports.

“He’s working with us and will be working with us on the coronavirus,” Trump said in August. “And he has a lot of great ideas. And he thinks what we’ve done is really good, and now we’re going to take him to a new level.”

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